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The Nation
BANGKOK: -- While allocating Cabinet seats to some of the returning 111 banned politicians will not cause the Pheu Thai Party to break up, some MP defections are possible if the banned politicians are to run under the party banner in the next election, an opposition MP said.
Democrat Party Phatthalung MP Nipit Intarasombat voiced his opinion on Saturday at a seminar entitled "Political Dynamic following the Rebirth of 111 Politicians 3", held by the Thai Press Development Foundation's ISRA Institute.
Nipit said he foresees no power struggle in Pheu Thai if the ruling party is to allocate some Cabinet seats to some of the 111 banned politicians whose five-year political ban will end on Wednesday.
However, the senior Democrat MP believes the ruling party would witness MP defections if it allowed the 111 politicians to replace existing MPs to contest under the party banner in the next general election. "The existing MPs will revolt by defecting,'' he said.
Nipit also believes the return of the 111 politicians would bring about positive change because they are valuable, qualified and experienced politicians who can help strengthen the government's stability.
However, the 111 politicians would find it hard to carry out their role because of the changing political environment, in which political conflicts are rife, he said. "In the Pheu Thai Party, MPs do not rein in the masses, but the masses - like the red shirts - are in charge. If Vichit [Plangsrikul] quarrels with Jatuporn [Promphan], or Suwat [Liptapanlop] quarrels with the red shirt leaders, they will be doomed,'' he said.
Suwat, a former leader of the Chat Pattana Party, said he believed the 111 politicians have done some soul-searching and knew what positions are best for them in terms of working for the best interest of the country. "
Vichit said "Cabinet reshuffles are easy because the government is stable politically and the PM has full authority,'' he said.
-- The Nation 2012-05-28
